Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Summary of segment operating results
Net realized gains									$ 37		$ 7		$ 7
Total net revenues	3,089	3,111	3,072	2,996	2,946	2,813	2,749	2,691	12,268		11,199		10,217
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings									2,229		2,019		1,695
Net realized gains									37		7		7
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	28	145	93	115	84	67	(40)	30	381		141		(128)
Market impact on variable annuity living benefits, net									(94)		(170)		(265)
Market impact on IUL benefits, net									(6)		(13)
Integration and restructuring charges											(14)		(71)
Income from continuing operations before income tax provision	558	720	619	650	479	602	402	487	2,547		1,970		1,238
Advice & Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues									4,806		4,295		3,873
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings									792		592		434
Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues									3,320		3,169		2,891
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings									788		691		535
Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues									2,591		2,561		2,519
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings									633		629		530
Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues									2,287		2,186		2,087
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings									246		336		373
Corporate & Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues									4		15		26
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings									(230)		(229)		(177)
Eliminations
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues									(1,417)	[1]	(1,369)	[1]	(1,253)	[1]
Operating Segments [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues									11,591		10,857		10,143
Net realized gains									37		7		7
Revenues attributable to CIEs									651		345		71
Market impact on IUL benefits, net									(11)		(10)
Integration and restructuring charges									0		0		(4)
Total net revenues									12,268		11,199		10,217
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Net realized gains									37		7		7
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Advice & Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues									997		980		901
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues									44		39		43
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues									235		307		271
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues									139		40		37
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Corporate & Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues									$ 2		$ 3		$ 1

[1] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 in each segment as follows: Advice and Wealth Management ($997, $980 and $901, respectively); Asset Management ($44, $39 and $43, respectively); Annuities ($235, $307 and $271, respectively); Protection ($139, $40 and $37, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($2, $3 and $1, respectively).